Are you ready for the ultimate road trip across the United States? It’s no secret that America has some of the most scenic drives in the world.
From winding coastal highways to rugged mountain passes, a 50 state road trip can be an adventure of a lifetime. But how long would it take to complete such a journey?
The Route
To travel through all 50 states, you would need to cover a distance of approximately 12,000 miles. Of course, this route is not straightforward and involves zigzagging across the country. The best way to plan this route would be to start in one corner of the country and work your way around.
Factors Affecting Duration
The duration of your road trip will depend on various factors, including:
Driving Time: If you were to drive non-stop, it would take about 8-10 days to cross the country from coast-to-coast. However, that’s not practical or safe. A more realistic time frame would be around 3 months.
Sightseeing: One of the main attractions of a road trip is seeing all that America has to offer. From national parks to monuments and museums, there are countless sights along the way that you won’t want to miss. Depending on how many stops you make along the way, this could add weeks or even months onto your journey.
Traffic: Depending on when and where you travel, traffic can significantly impact your travel time. Rush hour in cities like Los Angeles or New York can add hours onto your commute.
The Itinerary
Assuming an average speed of 60 mph and 8 hours on the road per day, here is an approximate itinerary for a 50 state road trip:
West Coast:
- California: San Francisco (2 days), Los Angeles (2 days)
- Oregon: Portland (1 day)
- Washington: Seattle (1 day)
Mountain States:
- Idaho: Boise (1 day)
- Montana: Yellowstone National Park (2 days)
- Wyoming: Grand Teton National Park (1 day), Mount Rushmore (1 day)
- Colorado: Denver (2 days), Rocky Mountain National Park (2 days)
Midwest:
- South Dakota: Badlands National Park (1 day)
- Minnesota: Minneapolis-Saint Paul (1 day)
- Wisconsin: Milwaukee (1 day), Madison (1 day)
- Iowa: Des Moines (1 day)
- Illinois: Chicago (2 days), Springfield (1 day)
Northeast:
- Indiana: Indianapolis (1 day)
- Kentucky: Mammoth Cave National Park(2 days)
- Tennessee : Nashville( 2days) , Great Smoky Mountains National Park( 2days )
- Pennsylvania : Pittsburgh( 1day ), Philadelphia( 2days )
Southern States:
- Louisiana : New Orleans( 2days )
- Texas : Austin( 2days ), Big Bend National Park( 3days ), San Antonio( 2days )
- New Mexico : Carlsbad Caverns National Park( 2days ), Santa Fe( 1day )
- Arizona : Grand Canyon National Park( 2days ), Sedona( 1day )
- Utah : Zion National Park( 2days ), Bryce Canyon National Park( 2days ), Arches National Park( 2days )
- Oregon: Portland (1 day)
- Washington: Seattle (1 day)
- California: San Francisco (2 days), Los Angeles (2 days)
West Coast:
Total Duration
Assuming you spend around 8 hours per day driving and around 3-4 days in each state, it would take approximately 6 months to complete a 50 state road trip. Of course, this is just an estimate, and your actual travel time may vary depending on your itinerary and how much time you spend at each stop.
The Bottom Line
A 50 state road trip is an adventure of a lifetime that will take you through some of the most scenic routes in America. While it may take several months to complete, the memories and experiences you gain along the way will be worth it. So buckle up, grab a map, and hit the open road for an unforgettable journey across the United States!